A Chana masala recipe with a quinoa twist! It’s already a great tasting chickpea curry, and adding quinoa into the mix will turn this Indian favorite into a complete protein. This dish is easy to prepare and a perfect vegetarian entree.
Ingredients: 15oz can CHICKPEAS 15oz can DICED TOMATOES 1 lg ONION (chopped) ½ cup QUINOA 1 HOT PEPPER (finely chopped) 4-5 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped) ½ cup CILANTRO (chopped) 1 tsp CUMIN SEEDS 1 tsp CUMIN 1 tsp CORIANDER ½ tsp CHILI POWDER ½ tsp TURMERIC 1 tsp GARAM MASALA 2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 1/8 tsp ASAFOETIDA (optional–really OPTIONAL!!!–don’t NOT make this dish because you don’t have this ingredient.) SALT and PEPPER, to taste 1½ cups WATER Check out current prices for Indian Spices on Amazon.
In a skillet, heat your oil on med. high heat. Add cumin seeds and asafoetida–the asoafoetida (also called “hing”) is OPTIONAL. Stir until seeds brown and crack–this will happen really fast, so don’t walk away from the skillet. Add garlic and continue stirring. Add chopped onions and hot pepper. Saute ingredients for 3-5 minutes. Add turmeric, coriander, cumin, and chili powder. Stir thoroughly into onion mix. Add quinoa and diced tomatoes. Stir and allow skillet to come to a simmer. Add chickpeas (rinsed and drained), salt to taste, and 1½ cups water. Bring skillet to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes (without stirring). After the 15 minutes, stir in the garam masala. Using a fork, smash half the chickpeas in the skillet–this will add a nice texture to the dish. Stir in the chopped cilantro. And that’s it. Chana Masala with a quinoa twist. Hope you like it.
Ever had a redneck martini? This is a family recipe. Lawyers and salesmen have been hogging this drink for too long, it’s time to take it back to the people. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Martini Recipe Stuff: 1 splash VERMOUTH, dry 3 fingers VODKA 3, 4, or 5 OLIVES (the bigger the better)
Or you can try: 2 oz. VODKA ……or GIN (blagghhth!) 1/2 oz. VERMOUTH, dry 3/4 oz. OLIVE JUICE (for a “dirty martini”)
And then just do this: Shake vermouth and vodka with ice to chill, strain, and then add olives to taste. I like it served in a mason jar, but pretty much anything that holds water will work. Loosen tie or kick off heels and relax. (although if you’re drinking out of a jar, you probably not wearing a tie.) Repeat as needed.
Martini Fun Facts: Martini drinks first became popular during prohibition when alcohol was outlawed. The long stem of the martini glass is designed to keep your hot hand off of the bowl of the glass. Martinis used to be made with cherries. James Bond drinks a vodka martini (shaken, not stirred, of course). I once had a chocolate martini, and I’ll probably never have one again (if I have any say in it).
And if you’re still in a drinking mood, give a Moscow Mule Cocktail a go–this video will show you how to make, and NOT MAKE this gingery drink.
This is a kick-ass Jalapeno Poppers Recipe! Follow along with Chef Buck and he’ll show you how to whip up this tasty popper dish right on the stove top.
Jalapeno Poppers Recipe Ingredients
6-8 JALAPENO PEPPERS 4oz CREAM CHEESE 2 ONIONS (chopped) 1-2 tsp CUMIN HERBS e.g. cilantro, dill, cilantro, to taste (minced) SALT, to taste ¼ cup BREAD CRUMBS 2-3 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
How to Make Stove Top Jalapeno Poppers
Remove cream cheese from fridge to soften (about 30 min. early). Slice off pepper tops and de-seed (a hand peeler makes this easy). Mix cream cheese, herbs, cumin, and salt together. Stuff peppers with cream cheese mixture. Dab the ends of the peppers into the bread crumbs to help seal the cream cheese inside. Heat olive oil in skillet to med heat. Add chopped onions (also add chopped red bell peppers if desired). Gently add stuffed jalapenos to the skillet. Stir onions and turn the peppers gently to cook on all sides. Some cream cheese may leak out, but it only makes the dish taste better. Cook 10-15 minutes until peppers are sauteed to liking. Give this jalapeno poppers recipe a go and let me know what you think, and bon appetit!
Thanks for watching! Click a button or two and share the dish if you like it. And for another tasty treat, Try this semi-healthy Baked Onion Rings Recipe.
Can you get a fancy-pants dinner out of a can of cheap pink salmon? Sure you can! This salmon cake recipe is easy to make and ready any time you like by using convenient canned salmon from the cupboard. Mmmmmm, I likes me some salmon cakes!
Salmon Cake Recipe Ingredients: Patties: 1 can PINK SALMON (or red salmon, if you’re feeling luxurious) 1 large EGG 1/4 cup ONION (diced) 1/4 cup RED PEPPER (diced) BLACK PEPPER, to taste CREOLE PEPPER, to taste GARLIC POWDER, to taste
Sauce (optional): CREOLE MUSTARD (or any kind of fancy-pants mustard…check online prices) YOGURT (plain Greek-style) DILL WEED LEMON JUICE (optional)
For the cakes, mix ingredients and shape into cakes. Fry in oil –I usually use extra light olive oil, but any will do. Cook on medium heat 4-5 minutes each side until golden brown). Allow the cakes to cook well on one side before you turn, this will keep them from falling apart. If you are making the sauce, mix ingredients to taste. I tend to go a little ‘mustardy’. Also, you might try adding a little lemon juice to the sauce. Give this salmon cake recipe a try and let me know what you think. Check current prices for canned salmon online.
And for another tasty, nutrition-packed fish recipe, try Mackerel Stew.
canned mackerel stew
Thanks for checking out our salmon cake recipe, and all of our recipes. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list and never miss a new Chef Buck cooking video, and also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
Thanks for watching our recipe videos!
We include affiliate links for products on our website, so if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program providing a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.
Maki sushi is my favorite sushi (makizushi), or sushi wrapped in dried seaweed (nori). Check out the video for step-by-step instructions on how to make sushi quick and easy.
Maki sushi is one of the healthiest and most entertaining foods you can put on the table…and pretty easy to prepare. You will need a SUSHI ROLLER to easily make this recipe. They are available at many supermarkets, most health food stores and every Asian market. You can get one for around $2 to $4.
Maki Sushi Ingredients: 6 to 7 NORI (dried seaweed sheets) 2 cups RICE (do not use long grain rice! Japanese sushi rice can be used, but I prefer short-grain brown rice.) 1/2 cup VINEGAR (apple cider or rice) SALT (to taste, I use very little) Assortment of SLICED VEGETABLES, FISH, etc Feel free to experiment with your choices. I generally use a mix of the following: AVOCADO, CUCUMBER, CARROT, GREEN ONIONS, RED PEPPERS, SALMON (I buy 3oz pre-packaged smoked salmon for convenience, since I use so little). I’ve also used SHRIMP, CRAB, CREAM CHEESE and ASPARAGUS (lightly steamed). Mix and match and find combos you enjoy. I find that I almost always use avocado. Desired condiments e.g. SOY SAUCE, WASABI, PICKED GINGER SLICES Optional: I like to sprinkle TOASTED SESAME SEEDS over my finished sushi—it adds a great taste and looks nice, too.
Prepare rice according to directions. Remove from stove and add vinegar. Gently mix and set aside to cool. Slice desired ingredients for filling. For a full dinner for two, I generally use 6-7 nori. Place nori shiny side down on your sushi roller. When rice is cool, spread desired amount over nori. I like heaps of rice in my maki sushi, approx. ¾ to1 cup. Spread so that the rice covers the nori leaving ¼ inch on the two sides and on the end closest to you. Leave 1 inch open on the far end of the seaweed sheet. Pull the nori flush with the back end of the roller. Lay the sliced fillings across the rice and, holding the ingredients in check with your fingers, use the roller to roll the seaweed over the ingredients and then press gently along the top and sides. The seaweed should form a nice wrap around the ingredients. Pull the seaweed roll to the back of the roller and roll forward once more until the nori is shaped entirely around the fillings. Use a sharp knife to slice into sushi, and wipe the knife frequently for a cleaner cut. I usually get 6-7 pieces per roll. After I plate my sushi, I sprinkle lightly with toasted sesame seeds (optional) and serve with wasabi, soy sauce, plum sauce, and pickled ginger slices. It’s an amazingly easy dish to prepare and a great way to impress a date or get yourself out of the doghouse (if you’re at that stage in your relationship). It kicks ass at parties and your friends will think you are more hip than you probably are –but only if you USE CHOPSTICKS!!!
Doesn’t Kale Beet Salad sound like a dream come true? Beets are fun, kale is cool…very exciting stuff. Kale is a slightly rough and tough cabbagee-thingy that’s a little less than friendly in it’s natural state, but massaging salt into the raw leaves can turn Kale into a delicious salad green. Here’s a very tasty and nutritionally jam-packed raw kale recipe with beets.
What you need for Kale Beet Salad
8-10 KALE (leaves) 2 BEET ROOTS (medium-sized) 2 TOMATOES (small…I use plum tomatoes) 2 CARROTS 1/2 cup GOLDEN RAISINS SALT (to taste…I use approx. 1 tsp.) PEPPER (to taste) 1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 2 tsp BALSAMIC VINEGAR
How to make a Kale and Beet Salad
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove greens from beets and cut root bulbs into smaller pieces, about 1/2 inch squares. Spread the beet pieces onto a baking pan and add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Cook for 25-35 minutes, remove and allow to cool.
While beets are cooking, remove the spine from the center of the kale leaves and tear kale into salad pieces. Kale is rough, but adding salt to the greens will draw out moisture and soften the leaves, making them darker. Gently massage salt into the kale until it achieves a desirable consistency, this may take several minutes.
Grate carrots into the greens, add raisins, then toss and divide portions into salad bowls. In a separate bowl, add diced tomatoes and cooled beets, then add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper and mix together. Spoon beet/tomato mixture over kale greens and serve.
This is a delicious way to enjoy and optimize the benefits of raw kale. I’m not usually a big raisin fan, but I find the raisins work really well in this salad. I’ve contemplated tossing minced ginger into the mix, but haven’t gotten around to doing so, although I might next time I whip this dish up. If you give it a try, let me know what you think.
This is one of the healthiest dishes I routinely prepare, but be aware, eating beets can cause some rosy changes when you answer “the call of nature”. (Don’t be alarmed, you probably won’t be dying…in fact, you’ll probably be doing a lot better.) Give this kale beet salad a try and let me know what you think, and bon appétit!
Have fun in the kitchen. Get a bunch of spices, pots and pans, and begin experimenting with different recipes. home cooking is a healthy hobby that will save you tons of money in the long run. Check out current prices for Complete Kitchenware Sets on Amazon as well as Complete Starter Spice Kits. Or go to a thrift store! I’ve found some of my favorite kitchen gear at second-hand stores.
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We include affiliate links for products on our website. Making a purchase after clicking on our links and we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.
Quinoa salad is vegetarian perfection. Quinoa is a versatile food, similar to rice, but with 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. It’s easy to prepare and super tasty. The salad recipe below makes an excellent meal, a tasty side dish, or a light snack. Serves 2-4.
Quinoa Salad Ingredients:
1 cup QUINOA (check current prices for quinoa on Amazon) 3 medium TOMATOES (chopped) ¼ cup RED ONION (finely chopped) 3-5 GARLIC CLOVES (minced) ½ inch GINGER (minced) 1 CUCUMBER (chopped) 1/3 YELLOW BELL PEPPER (chopped) 1 CARROT (thinly sliced) ¼ cup PARSLEY or CILANTRO (chopped) 3 Tbsp APPLE CIDER VINEGAR 2-3 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 2 Tbsp LEMON JUICE SALT (to taste)
Quinoa Salad Direections:
Add 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10-15 minutes (I find it usually takes about 15 minutes). Place cooked quinoa in bowl and let cool—doesn’t have to cool completely—by the time you get your other ingredients prepped, the quinoa will be cool enough.
Add vinegar, olive oil, salt, and stir well. Add onion, ginger, and garlic. I usually chop the onion fine and MINCE the garlic and ginger VERY WELL. The raw garlic and ginger adds lots of flavor and nutrition. Give the bowl a good stir and get these ingredients mixed thoroughly.
Add yellow pepper (red pepper is fine, but yellow makes a nice color contrast), cucumber, carrot. Sometimes I also add green onions—or even diced jalapeños if I’m looking for a little kick—feel free to experiment with any vegetables you enjoy in a raw state.
Mix ingredients and then add the tomatoes. I like to add the tomatoes last so they don’t get too beat up by the spoon. If you’ve got some parsley or cilantro on hand, throw that in as well—I make sure I’ve got some cilantro on hand when I’m making this dish. A bit of lemon juice is a nice finish and will also help keep the colors of the dish vibrant. Give this quinoa salad recipe a try and let me know what you think, and bon appetit!
We still use rice, but not nearly as often (if I have to choose between eating ribs and rice or ribs and quinoa, it’s really not a choice, I choose rice every time–and I’m talking white rice!) but for MANY dishes, I’m losing the rice and going with quinoa. White rice doesn’t stand a chance against quinoa, but even brown rice doesn’t provide as much nutritional value–plus with quinoa being a complete protein, it’s a lot less hassle to fashion a meatless meal.
I’ve always got quinoa on hand now, and before using rice in a dish, I ask myself “will quinoa work here?” Sometimes the answer is NO, because rice provides great texture for many dishes–but more often than not, I go with quinoa.
Thanks for checking the quinoa salad out. If you like it, click a button or two below and share it! And for another delicious salad idea, try this Cauliflower Super Salad Recipe.
A quick and tasty shrimp pasta dinner recipe for two!
Shrimp LinguineIngredients:
1 pound SHRIMP (20-30, peeled and deveined) 8oz LINGUINE (about ½ box) 1-2 cups BROCCOLI florets (or substitute ½ cup PARSLEY if you’re not into broccoli) 6-8 GARLIC cloves (minced) ½ large ONION (finely chopped) ½ stick BUTTER 3-5 Tbsp OLIVE OIL SALT to taste (add OREGANO or ITALIAN HERBS if desired–I like just the extra garlicky taste) serve with PARMESAN CHEESE
Shrimp Linguine Directions
Prep your ingredients first, then get your pasta cooking. I like to add a Tbsp of olive oil to my pasta water as well as a 2-4 tsp salt. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and whatever firmness you desire. I’m using whole grain wheat linguine for this recipe, which takes about 12 minutes to cook–a bit longer than most linguine. The cooking time for the skillet ingredients should be around 7-9 minutes, so try to time your pasta to finish with the shrimp–overcooked shrimp is rubbery and overcooked pasta is mushy, so timing is everything!!!
In your skillet, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil and 1/4 butter on medium heat. When hot, add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add onions and continue to cook a couple more minutes. Add broccoli florets, and add more butter and oil as needed. If you don’t want to add broccoli, substitute 1/2 cup chopped parsley instead. Sauté florets, garlic, and onions another 2 minutes and then add shrimp. Throw in some Italian herbs if you want to get all herby.
The shrimp will be done when they turn pink–don’t overcook or they’ll turn rubbery!! Remove the cooked pasta from water and add directly to the skillet. Don’t drain or strain the pasta!!–you’re just throwing away good flavor. Add the remainder of your original 1/2 stick butter. Mix pasta and ingredients. Add some pasta water to the mix (about 1/2 cup or so). I find that the salt in the water and butter is plenty for me, but salt a little more if desired. Remove the skillet from the heat and serve. Fresh Parmesan cheese and toasted garlic bread are nice accompaniments!! Maybe some wine? Bon appétit!
Give this Cornish hen recipe a try. A Cornish hen is a classy bird, and a complete meal for two when cooked up with potatoes and carrots.
What you need for this Cornish Hen Recipe
1 CORNISH HEN …for this recipe I’m using a 1.5 lb. size hen, adjust cooking time for a smaller bird 2 POTATOES cut into 1 inch pieces 4 CARROTS chopped into ½-1 inch pieces 1 ONION large onion, cut into large pieces 1 GARLIC BULB chopped 4-5 sprigs ROSEMARY finely chopped ¼ cup BUTTER melted–substitute olive oil, if desired SALT and PEPPER to taste This is a great dish to load up with extra seasonings…try CUMIN, SEASONING SALT, CAYENNE PEPPER, CAJUN SEASONINGS, etc.
How to Cook Cornish Hen
If you’re using a frozen hen, allow the bird to thaw overnight in the fridge.
Cut hen through the breast and into two halves.
Rub both sides of hen with salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary.
Cover hens with potatoes and carrot and additional seasoning.
Top with chopped onion and melted butter and cover dish.
Cook in 400 degree F oven for 30 minutes.
Remove dish, mix ingredients, cover and return to the oven for 15 minutes more.
Remove dish and uncover. Mix ingredients, place hen halves on top of vegetables and return to the oven and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
At this point (dish has cooked 55 minutes total) I like to turn on the broiler and broil each side of the hen for 2-3 minutes, making the skin crispy and tasty. Keep an eye on the hens and do not overbroil!
Remove the dish from the oven and serve. I like to rub dried oregano between my palms and coat the plate and serve with sliced tomatoes.
For another poultry dish, try this crispy Baked Chicken Recipe that you’ll love more than fried chicken.
Thanks for checking out our Cornish hen recipe, and all of our recipes. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list and never miss a new Chef Buck cooking video, and also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen! –Chef Buck
Thanks for watching our recipe videos!
We include affiliate links for products on our website, so if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program providing a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.
This sausage tomato pie might look like a pizza, but it’s definitely not a pizza! The crust has a flaky pastry quality and the onions act the part of a pie filling. This is a rich dish, bordering on decadent; it’s super filling and super flavorful. For a meatless alternative, try faux sausage—or no sausage at all—this dish works well just as a Tomato Pie.
Ingredients: 3 large ONIONS 2 medium TOMATOES 8-10 oz SAUSAGE 8 oz MOZZARELLA CHEESE (shredded) 5-7 GARLIC CLOVES (finely chopped) 2 cups ALL PURPOSE FLOUR ¾ stick BUTTER (soft) DIJON MUSTARD ¼ VEGETABLE OIL (plus oil for sauteing) 2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 2 Tbsp TOMATO SAUCE 2 Tbsp PARSLEY (chopped) CHILI POWDER, CUMIN, SALT (for sausage seasoning, to taste) DRIED ITALIAN HERBS (thyme, oregano, basil, etc.)
Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a skillet and add GARLIC. Sauté for 1 minute and add SAUSAGE. Continue cooking, adding CHILI POWDER, CUMIN, and SALT for seasoning. Cook meat to completion and set aside in a bowl. Slice 3 large ONIONS into strips. Add oil to pan and add onions. Cook onions down until soft and caramelized; this may take some time, but the more completely the onions are cooked down, the tastier the final dish will be! Remove onions from heat and set aside.
In a bowl, combine 2 cups ALL PURPOSE FLOUR and ¾ stick softened BUTTER. Mix butter into flour thoroughly. Add ¼ cup VEGETABLE OIL and continue to mix. Add ½ cup Water. Mix until the dough is smooth. Spoon onto ungreased pizza pan and spread (use the spoon!). Spread evenly into the size of a large pizza and leave a raised edge for the crust. Place in pre-heated oven and cook at 375 F for 10 minutes. Remove dough from oven and top with DIJON MUSTARD. Spread a layer of mustard evenly and cover dough completely except for the outer edge—just like spreading mustard on a sandwich. Add cooked onions and spread evenly over the mustard. Top with SEASONED MEAT and MOZZARELLA CHEESE. Top dish with sliced TOMATOES and sprinkle liberally with dried ITALIAN HERBS: oregano, thyme, basil, etc..
In a small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL, 2 Tbsp TOMATO SAUCE, and 1-2 Tbsp fresh chopped PARSLEY. Brush mixture over each tomato slice. Return pie to the oven and continue to bake at 375 F for 30-40 minutes until edge of crust is brown.
Jicama is a root vegetable that can be served raw. It is similar in appearance to a potato, but tastes more like an apple, although not quite as sweet; I find it has an “earthier” taste. Many folks compare the crisp texture of Jicama to that of a water chestnut. Jicama is especially good in this recipe because it takes on the flavor of the dressing very well.
Ingredients: 1 cup JICAMA (cut into 1 inch sticks) 1 cup SNOW PEAS (cut into ¼ inch widths) 1 cup NAPA CABBAGE (torn into salad-size pieces) 2 CARROTS ¼ cup SESAME SEEDS (toasted) 2 Tbsp VINEGAR (wine or rice) 2 Tbsp SOY SAUCE 4 tsp HONEY (or 2 tsp sugar) 1 tsp SESAME OIL 1-2 Tbsp WATER
Peel jicama root and cut into matchstick shapes. Tear cabbage into salad-sized pieces (substitute romaine lettuce if preferred, but I find the cabbage holds up better in the dressing). Slice snow peas into ¼ inch widths. Shred carrots. Combine all in a bowl and mix.
In a smaller bowl, add vinegar (red or white wine vinegar or rice vinegar can be used), soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and water (start with 1 Tbsp of water and add another if desired). Mix ingredients.
Combine dressing and vegetables and toss thoroughly. Serve as a side dish to add Asian flair to any meal—and it’s great with fish.
I love a tasty fried shrimp recipe, and “tempura” is just a fancy pants word for “fried”. This dish is a knock-off of a dish I love to order at a Chinese restaurant when I’m down in Tampa, but since I don’t live in Tampa, I had to figure out how to make this fried shrimp recipe for myself—and I’ve done it!
The key is cilantro, and lots of it—also lots of garlic and a little hot pepper, too! Be sure to use a non-stick pan to cook up the spicy pepper mix, otherwise you’ll be setting yourself up for a headache and burned garlic!
What you need for Spicy Fried Shrimp
1 lb SHRIMP (peeled and deveined, tail on) 1 bunch CILANTRO (1 to 2 cups chopped) 10-12 cloves GARLIC (chopped) 1 or 2 hot PEPPERS (chopped) 1/2 cup GREEN ONION (chopped) 1 tsp RED PEPPER FLAKES (or two tsp!—optional) 1 cup ALL PURPOSE FLOUR 1 EGG 1 cup ice-cold WATER frying OIL SALT (to taste)
How to make Spicy Fried Shrimp
Chop up 1 bunch of cilantro, stems AND leaves.
Chop 2 green onions and dice peppers, I like to use 2 green chili peppers, but use whatever peppers you like depending on how much heat you want in the dish.
Chop 10-12 cloves of garlic.
Heat a non-stick skillet with 2 Tbsp of oil—definitely use a non-stick skillet! If you don’t have a decent skillet, here’s a link to check out some current skillet prices on Amazon.
Add peppers to skillet and allow to cook 1 minute, then add garlic and red pepper flakes (adjust pepper flakes to taste).
Cook for 1 minute and then add green onions. Be sure to keep ingredients stirring, reduce heat as necessary to prevent garlic from burning.
As garlic browns, add the cilantro and continue to stir ingredients, cooking out the moisture. It’s okay if the garlic browns well, as long as it’s not burned; the dryer the ingredients get the better. Cook the ingredients down and then remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
Heat up the oil for the shrimp.
While the oil heats, prepare the tempura batter. It’s best not to prepare the batter ahead of time. In a bowl, beat 1 egg, add 1 cup of ice-cold water, then add 1 cup of all purpose flour.
Mix together into a thin batter, but don’t over mix—it’s okay if there are some lumps.
Test the batter in the frying oil; the batter will sizzle and float if it is ready.
Use peeled and deveined shrimp with the tail still attached—the tail makes a perfect handle.
Dip shrimp in batter and then shake off the excess.
Lay shrimp in the hot oil and cook 3-4 minutes, turning once. DO NOT cook too many shrimp at the same time because they will stick together and not crisp and brown evenly.
When the shrimp are golden, remove from oil and drain on a paper towel (the 1st batch I put into the pepper mix to drain).
When all the shrimp are fried, add them to the pepper mix and return the skillet to the burner on low heat.
Salt to taste and toss the shrimp GENTLY and thoroughly with the spice mix.
Remove from heat and serve immediately.
I like to serve this dish with sticky rice and a sautéed green, something like cabbage or bok choy. Give fried shrimp recipe a try a let me know what you think, and bon appétit!
Click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. You can also follow Chef Buck on Youtube. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
If you like what CG and I do, support us on Patreon, or throw us a tip in our Paypal Tip Jar. We’ll happily enjoy a coffee on the road – Thanks! We appreciate all the support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
We include affiliate links for products on our website. Making a purchase after clicking on our links and we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.
This is a quick chocolate candy recipe treat idea for lazy hosts and lazier guests. Need to provide a tasty dish for a party, but don’t have the time? Need it to look homemade even though you don’t want to actually make anything? If you’re going to a party or having a party, this is an easy dish to whip together with almost zero effort. The most annoying part is unwrapping the candies.
To make this chocolate candy recipe you will need: MINI PRETZELS MINI PEANUT BUTTER CUPS CHOCOLATE CARAMELS (we use Rolos) PECAN HALVES
Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange pretzels on a baking sheet (putting wax paper underneath will make cleanup a breeze). Top each pretzel with a peanut butter cup or chocolate caramel (if it was just me, I’d use only peanut butter cups, but Camera Girl likes the caramels, and it makes for a better variety if you’re making the dish for guests). Place baking sheet in oven for 4 minutes to soften chocolates. Remove baking sheet from oven and top softened chocolates with pecan halves. For variety, top some of the chocolates with pretzels. Allow chocolate to cool before removing treats from baking sheet. That’s it! Pretzels, chocolate, and nuts…who doesn’t like that? It’s easy peezey and a great treat to serve when you don’t feel like making a fuss. So give this quick chocolate candy recipe treat a try and let me know what you think, and… Bon appétit!
(I like pretzels on the bottom and top with a peanut butter cup in between. Camera girl likes the pretzel on the bottom with pecan half on top and a chocolate caramel in between; she says it’s like one of those “turtle” candies. Pecans are okay, but they’re too expensive…pretzels and peanut butter cups are all you really need, but get the rest if you’re tryin’ to be fancy pants.)
Try out this seafood pancake recipe, haemul pajeon! It’s a tasty Korean twist on a pancake, and pretty damn tasty. A pancake for dinner is a good idea as long as it’s a cool pancake, and seafood is always a good idea.
What You Need For This Seafood Pancake Recipe
Pancake: 6 oz SEAFOOD (shrimp, scallops, squid, etc.) 5-6 GREEN ONIONS (cut into 1” lengths) 1 tsp HOT PEPPER (finely chopped) ½ cup ALL PURPOSE FLOUR ½ cup cold WATER 1 EGG (beaten) 2-3 Tbsp cooking OIL Sauce: 2 Tbsp SOY SAUCE 1 Tbsp RICE VINEGAR 1 tsp SESAME SEEDS –optional 1 tsp HOT SAUCE (chili garlic, pepper sauce, etc.)
Korean-style haemul pajeon is a delicious seafood pancake –and fun to make, too.
How To Make A Seafood Pancake
Mix sauce ingredients in a small dish and set aside. Cut green onions in half and then lengthwise, then cut into 1” pieces. Finely chop 1 tsp of hot red pepper—a hot green pepper will do—but a red pepper makes the dish look yummier (also, add a little red bell pepper for color, if desired). Chop seafood (seafood is ideal for this dish because it cooks quickly—use shrimp, squid, scallops, clams, etc.). In a bowl, mix flour with cold water. Mix well until a thin batter is formed (add a drop more water if needed—the batter should be thin enough to coat the veggies and seafood thoroughly and spread evenly when poured into the skillet). Add onions, peppers, and seafood to the batter and mix well. Heat a skillet on medium high heat and add oil. When oil is heated, add batter and spread evenly. Cook for 4-6 minutes until the edges of the cake begin to brown—but before the edges brown, add 1 well-beaten egg to the top of the cake (tip: shake the skillet to spread the egg evenly over the cake). When the cake has cooked to a light brown on one side, turn and cook approx. 2 minutes on the other side (it won’t take long—be mindful to not burn the egg, but a light crispness makes this dish delicious) Remove and serve immediately with the dipping sauce. Give this seafood pancake recipe a try and let me know what you think, and bon appétit!
Thanks for checking out the seafood pancake recipe. If you enjoyed it, click some of the clickables below to share the recipe with your friends. I appreciate it! –Chef Buck
This deviled egg recipe is a tasty treat, and preparing eggs with Indian inspired spices will make a nice change from the average awesomeness of a traditional deviled egg recipe.
Boil and peel 6 eggs. You can boil them perfectly, if you boil them this way: (Overly-long egg boiling description follows) Use older eggs. As an egg ages, it shrinks within the shell and separates from the inner membrane, making the egg easier to peel after boiling. Fresher eggs will have a stronger membranous attachment to the shell and are more difficult to peel (yawn). Eggs 10 days to 2 weeks old will work well. Prepare the eggs in a pot large enough to keep them from jostling together and cracking. Heating the eggs gradually will also prevent cracking. Place eggs in a pot and fill with cold tap water so the eggs are completely covered and there is an extra 1 inch of water above the eggs. Add a pinch of salt. (Some folks add a tablespoon of vinegar to prevent the eggs from leaking should they crack, but I never do this because I don’t think James Dean would). Uncovered, bring the pot to a boil. As soon as the pot begins to boil, turn off the heat, cover and allow eggs to sit 12 minutes. After 12 minutes, exchange the hot water for cold under the tap and allow eggs to cool; exchange the water several times if needed. When eggs have cooled, peel them under the water in the pot. (Peeling them under running water is kind of a waste of water, so why do dat?) Okay. Now you’ve got 6 boiled and peeled eggs.
Slice them into halves lengthwise and plop out the yellow yolks into a mixing bowl. And one of the egg white halves to the mixing bowl as well, or two halves if you like a lot of filling. Add salt and pepper to taste. In a skillet, heat a splash of olive oil on med-high heat and sauté ¼ tsp cumin seeds and 1 clove of finely chopped garlic until garlic is lightly browned—do not burn: the garlic will cook quickly. Add the garlic and cumin seeds to the yolk mixture. Add mayonnaise gradually and mix the ingredients to desired smoothness (AGAIN—add the mayonnaise gradually! If the mixture is too soft it will not set up properly in the egg white!) Which brings us back to the egg white. Spoon the yolk mixture into the egg whites and arrange nicely onto a serving dish. Sprinkle as desired with curry powder (or substitute cumin powder).
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Try this easy stir-fry kale recipe. Kale is a cool cabbage that kicks broccoli’s ass (or at least in this recipe it does).
Kale Recipe Ingredients: 1 bunch KALE 1 inch piece fresh GINGER 1 medium ONION (cut into slices) ½ cup CARROT (thin cut or string cut) 1 hot PEPPER (finely chopped, optional) 1 Tbsp SESAME OIL SALT (to taste) 1 Tbsp TAHINI 3-4 Tbsp SOY SAUCE
Divide a 1” piece of ginger into two halves. Finely chop one half to use in the sauce and thinly slice the other half and set aside to cook with the stir fry. In a small bowl, mix together the tahini and soy sauce until a thin peanut-buttery consistency is achieved. Mix the finely chopped ginger into the sauce and set aside. Wash kale, remove spine, and cut or tear into mouth-manageable pieces. Heat the sesame oil on medium high and sauté onion slices and finely chopped pepper for 1 minute. Add a pinch of salt (not much salt will be needed because of the salt in the soy sauce). Add Ginger slices and cook for another minute. Reduce heat to medium and add the kale and carrots. Mix thoroughly with the onion, pepper, and ginger. Cover and allow to cook for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and add sauce. Toss well and serve hot (and it goes great with rice). Give this healthy kale Recipe a try and let me know what you think, and… Bon appétit!
Kale Fun Facts: Kale belongs to the same family as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and collards. Kale is packed with antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. One cup of chopped raw kale provides more than 100% of the daily value of vitamins A, C, and K. Free Radicals are something scientists made up to sound smart.
A delicious super-simple spaghetti carbonara recipe.
Ingredients for Spaghetti Carbonara
13 oz SPAGHETTI 8 oz PANCETTA or thick cut BACON 1 EGG 3 EGG YOLKS 1/2 cup PECORINO ROMANO (grated) (or just romano, what’s the big deal?) (even a little parmesan won’t hurt) PEPPER (as much as you can handle) SALT (very little) PARSLEY (optional)
How to Make a Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
Combine 3 egg yolks and 1 whole egg into a bowl and mix well. Stir in ½ to ¾ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese—a Romano cheese is “pecorino” if it is made from sheep milk—but if you use Romano made from the milk of a cow or a goat, it won’t be the end of the world (and parmesan wouldn’t kill you either—although the pecorino is nice). Set this mixture aside. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Add a pinch of salt to the water, but sparingly—there will be plenty of salt in the other ingredients. While pasta cooks, prepare the meat. Cut 8oz of pancetta or thick-cut bacon into small squares. Pancetta is Italian bacon that is not smoked—most other bacon you find at the market will be smoked; again, it’s not the end of the world choosing one over the other, the main difference will be in the “smokiness” of the dish. In a large skillet, prepare the bacon. Add a generous helping of fresh cracked pepper (generous is whatever amount you like). Make sure the bacon is cooked through, but do not cook it to a crisp! Remove skillet from the heat and pour off the excess bacon grease. When spaghetti is ready, remove directly from the water (do not rinse!) and mix the pasta with the bacon in the skillet. Add the cheese/egg mixture to the hot pasta and continue mixing thoroughly. Initially it will not look like a lot of sauce, but as you stir the mixture into the pasta, it will become quite creamy (and delicious). Add a splash of pasta water if needed. Throw in a little chopped parsley for color and serve immediately. Give this spaghetti carbonara recipe a try and let me know what you think, and… Bon appétit!
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Spring rolls are a nice appetizer when you go out to eat at a fancy-pants restaurant, and they’re just as nice when you eat them at home, and they’re easy to make. Briefly wetting the rice paper and placing it on a damp towel makes the delicate rice paper easier to handle. The rice paper softens while you place your filling–makes the process much easier–definitely give this technique a try!
All you need to make spring rolls are rice paper and some tasty ingredients to roll up inside. You can buy rice paper at any Asian food store, most health food markets, and in the ethnic foods section of many local grocery stores. It’s an economical buy. The last batch I bought was a package of 20 for $2.25 U.S. dollars. It comes in sheets, like paper, but usually round in shape; it doesn’t feel like paper, though—it feels more like plastic, almost like something you’d find at the hardware store, but don’t let that put you off, it softens quickly when wet. Despite its initial “plasticky” appearance, it’s not bad for you, or particularly good for you either—rice, tapioca, salt, and water are the prime components. How your spring rolls taste will be determined by the ingredients you roll up inside, and any dipping sauce you might like to serve them with. It’s a great vehicle for getting raw vegetables into your diet; I like to think of a spring roll as a cigar-shaped salad, but many pre-cooked meats and seafood work well in spring rolls, too.
What You Need to make Spring Rolls
Rice Paper and Whatever the hell you wanna roll up in the rice paper. Here are a few options I like to use: cilantro (I ALWAYS USE CILANTRO), cucumber, basil leaves, lettuce, carrots, sprouts, rice noodles, steamed shrimp, stir-fried spicy pork, bell pepper, green onions, cabbage, and on and on and on… there’s no end to what you can use.
Spring rolls make a great appetizer or entree
How to Make a Fresh Spring Roll
Prepare your filling ingredients—mainly making sure the ingredients are chopped or sliced in a manner which will make them rice paper-wrapping friendly—this is especially true if you plan on slicing the spring rolls in half—your filling ingredients will tumble out easily if they’re too loose and tiny. Wet the rice paper with warm tap water. Just a few seconds under a warm tap is plenty. Place the rice paper on a damp towel and gently press down. The rice paper will quickly soften and become pliable. Arrange your filling ingredients at one end of the sheet and roll them up in the rice paper like a burrito. Using basil or lettuce or cabbage leaves as your base ingredient will make the rolls structurally sound and easier to roll. It’s very important that the first rollover be tight—compact the ingredients as much as possible—a loosely rolled spring roll is a sad sight, and will quickly fall apart if sliced. The rice paper will be your friend. It will help. It is very sticky and will seal almost like an envelope around your stuffings. If you want a tasty spring roll, it’s as easy as rolling up a tasty combo of ingredients—a yummy dipping sauce will help, and here are two:
And just plain old soy sauce works fine, too. Or maybe some hot mustard—I’ve never tried that, but it just popped into my head, so maybe next time I’ll give it a go. Alright, that’s enough blabbing. Give these spring rolls a try and bon appétit!
A simple and delicious seafood stew recipe for winners*. *also appropriate for non-winners
Seafood Stew Recipe Ingredients
1 lb MIXED SEAFOOD 1 HOT PEPPER (finely chopped) 3-4 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped) 1 medium ONION (chopped) ½ cup CELERY (sliced) 2 Tbsp TOMATO PASTE 1 13 oz can DICED TOMATOES 1 cup CHICKEN STOCK 2 cups WATER (substitute 1 cup CLAM JUICE if desired) 1 cup WHITE WINE 2 Tbsp LEMON JUICE 1 BAY LEAF 1 Tbsp OREGANO 1 tsp THYME 1 tsp BASIL SALT/PEPPER to taste 1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
How to make this Seafood Stew
Heat olive oil on medium heat and add onion and celery and hot pepper. Give these ingredients a minute head start and then add the garlic and salt.
Cook until the onion begins to soften and then add the tomato paste. Push the paste around with the vegetables—spread it around the bottom of the pan and let it cook up a minute or two—if the paste sticks a little, that’s cool—because now we’ll add white wine which will deglaze any stuck on paste.
Add a bay leaf, oregano, thyme, basil—throw some red pepper flakes in as well if you like it hot. Let the mix simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add diced tomatoes, 1 cup of broth (I use chicken broth, but any broth will do), and 2 cups of water—you can substitute 1 cup of clam juice for 1 of the cups of water, if desired. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, cover, and allow to cook 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, add 1 lb. of miscellaneous seafood—a variety of big-bite pieces make a nice presentation. Cover and simmer for another 7-8 minutes. Stir in some lemon juice and remove from heat and serve.
It looks tasty in a bowl with a nice pyramid of rice in the middle. it’s easy peezey and puts a nice glow in your belly, so give this seafood stew recipe a try.
It’s not fried chicken, but just barely. This is a simple and delicious recipe for folks who like juicy chicken more than greasy chicken, so give this baked chicken recipe a try.
What you need for this Baked Chicken Recipe
2½ lbs. CHICKEN (skin removed) 1 cup MILK (I use almond milk, but buttermilk is cool) HOT SAUCE (to taste) 1 cup BREAD CRUMBS 3 tsp CURRY POWDER 1 tsp GARLIC POWDER 1 tsp ONION POWDER 1 tsp ONION SALT (or regular salt, adjust to taste) ½ tsp GROUND MUSTARD 1 tsp PAPRIKA *add ½ tsp red pepper if you want a kick
How to “Bake” Fried Chicken
Buy skinless or remove the skin and clean and rinse 2-2½ lbs. of chicken pieces. I love the dark meat, so I usually use thighs, but use whatever cuts you like and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Spread the chicken out in a shallow bowl and dash with hot sauce to taste. Add one cup of milk. I like to use almond milk, but my mama always used buttermilk. Allow the chicken to soak 30-60 minutes.
In a ziplock bag, add the remainder of ingredients and mix.
2 pieces at a time, add chicken to the ziplock bag and turn until coated. Sealing plenty of air in the bag will help coat the chicken pieces easily and evenly.
Place pieces on a non-stick or lightly-oiled baking pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes. Periodically check on the pieces as oven cooking times will vary. After 30 minutes, or when the pieces are well on their way to cooking, turn them, and continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes.
Curry gives the chicken a wonderful color, and it looks very much like fried chicken, although not as crunchy as fried chicken. For extra crunchiness, broil the pieces for 1-2 minutes on each side.
Give this baked chicken recipe a go and let me know what you think!
If you’re new to home cooking, just get a bunch of spices, pots and pans, and start experimenting with different ingredients and recipes. It’s a healthy hobby that can save a lot of money in the long run. You can check out current prices for Complete Kitchenware Sets on Amazon. Or just go to a thrift store! I’ve found some of my favorite kitchen gear at second-hand stores.
Thanks for checking out our baked chicken recipe, and all of our recipes. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list and never miss a new Chef Buck cooking video, and also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen! –Chef Buck
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We include affiliate links for products on our website, so if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program providing a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.
A lentil soup recipe! Doesn’t that sound like all of your dreams are coming true? Pick up some brightly colored lentils and give this lentil soup recipe a try.
What you Need for this Lentil Soup Recipe:
1 ½ cups LENTILS 5-6 cups WATER (or ½ water ½ broth) 1 large ONION (finely chopped) 2 Tbsp fresh GINGER (finely chopped) 1 hot PEPPER (finely chopped) 2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 1 tsp CUMIN SEEDS ½ tsp TUMERIC POWDER 1 tsp CORIANDER POWDER 1 14 oz can DICED TOMATOES (or 2 Lg tomatoes, diced) SALT and BLACK PEPPER to taste CILANTRO LEAVES for garnish (coriander leaves)
In a large pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. When oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and allow cooking for about 1 minute. After a minute the seeds will begin to open, at this point add the onion and hot pepper and allow cooking until the onions soften and become translucent.
Now, add ginger, coriander, and turmeric and continue mixing ingredients over medium heat. Add tomatoes, mix, and cook with ingredients for 2 minutes.
Add lentils (be sure to wash and rinse first). Red or yellow lentils will make this dish look extra yummy. Darker lentils will taste equally as good—the dish just won’t win a beauty contest—but use whatever kind you have, ultimately, your stomach won’t know the difference.
Add water, or a combination of water/broth.
Next, bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat, then cover the pot loosely and allow ingredients to simmer for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, add salt and pepper to taste. Add more water as needed, but sparingly—you don’t want your soup to be too thin. Cover pot loosely and continue cooking another 15-20 minutes.
Final Steps:
When the lentils are soft and completely cooked, lightly blend the soup to add a creamy consistency. A hand-held stick blender works great—a few quick pulses and voilà! If a stick blender is not handy (rim shot), simply remove a few cups of the soup to a table top blender, smooth, and return to the pot. This step isn’t necessary, but do it; just do it.
If the soup is thinner than you like, continue to simmer briefly—but remember, the lentils, like rice, will continue to absorb water and thicken the soup on their own.
Garnish with cilantro (coriander leaves) and serve with French bread for optimal taste satisfaction.
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Bon appétit!
And, if you like bread with your soup, you might love trying this Fancy Egg Bread Recipe, it’s one of my favorites.
baked egg bread with rosemary seasoning
Thanks for checking the recipes out! If you liked it, click some of the buttons below and share it with your friends and family, I appreciate it. –Buck
Calamari salad makes a great addition to any potluck! Also, Dr. Freud theorized the squid to be the unconscious driver underlying all human action. This recipe builds on that theory, and adds carrots.
What you need for a Calamari Salad
1 lb SQUID ½ cup CARROT (strings) ½ cup CUCUMBER (sticks) 1/3 cup CILANTRO or BASIL LEAVES (chopped) 1 tsp GINGER (minced) 1 tsp SESAME OIL 1 Tbsp extra virgin OLIVE OIL 1 Tbsp RICE WINE VINEGAR 1 tsp CHILI GARLIC SAUCE (or sub hot sauce to taste) 1 Tbsp LEMON JUICE SOY SAUCE (to taste) ½ tsp SESAME SEEDS SALT (to taste)
How to make Calamari Salad
Start with 1 lb. of cleaned squid. I’ve used fresh and frozen squid for this recipe and both work well—and smaller squid work best for salad—which is something to think about when choosing your squid; buying them frozen and already cleaned is much nicer than cleaning a dozen dinky cephalopods.
Cut squid into thin rings (1/4 inch max) and boil in salted water for 25 seconds (yep—they’ll cook up that fast). Drain, then rinse under cold water to prevent overcooking (over-boiled squid can be quite rubbery).
In a large bowl, combine sesame oil, olive oil, vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and ginger (also salt to taste—or dress with soy sauce). Mix well.
Add squid, carrot, cucumber, and cilantro and toss with dressing. Add lemon juice (or substitute lime juice). Add soy sauce to taste.
Mix all, top with sesame seeds, and serve over a bed of mixed greens. It’s light, tasty, and suctioncupalicious.
Wanna try squid in another dish? One of my favorite uses for calamari is in a Seafood Pancake Recipe, which sounds weird, but try it, you’ll like it.
Korean style Haemul Pajeon seafood pancake
Thanks for checking out the calamari salad recipe. If you enjoyed it, click some of the clickables below to share the recipe with your friends. I appreciate it! –Chef Buck
Pita chips are easy to make and you can bake them up quickly using your favorite spices. You can’t have hummus without pita chips! I mean, you can, but…why? Pita chips go great with all kinds of dips and are excellent with salads or just as an alternative to your run-of-the-mill potato chip.
Pita Chips Ingredients: 1 pkg. PITA BREAD OLIVE OIL SALT SPICES: curry powder, garlic powder, cajun seasonings, etc. (whatever you like)
Cut pitas into triangular chip shapes. Each pita will easily yield 12 chips. Soak one side of each pita triangle in olive oil and stack pitas so the soaked side of one is stacked against the unsoaked side of the next. Press stacked chips together—this will flatten the chips and suffuse the oil throughout. Arrange chips on a flat baking sheet. Salt to taste. Add spices—the more the better, in my opinion. I usually bake three distinct batches. Curry is probably my favorite—just salt and lots of curry on a toasted pita chip, it’s delicious. Garlic is great, too. Try some Tony Chachere’s seasoning (or comparable cajun seasoning) on a chip—or simply add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper with Cumin. Whatever your favorite seasonings are, give them a try. Bake the chips 8-10 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Oven cooking times vary, so keep an eye on your first batch to see how long it takes to toast them the way you like—they will burn quickly if forgotten. I like mine CRISP. One side of the pita will be thinner than the other side and some triangles may need to be removed from the oven before the other chips are done. You’ll figure it out. Give this pita chips recipe a try and let me know what you think, and… Bon appétit!
Click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. You can also follow Chef Buck on Youtube. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
If you like what CG and I do, support us on Patreon, or throw us a tip in our Paypal Tip Jar. We’ll happily enjoy a coffee on the road – Thanks! We appreciate all the support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
We include affiliate links for products on our website. Making a purchase after clicking on our links and we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.
If you’re new to home cooking, get a bunch of spices, pots and pans, and start experimenting with different recipes. It’s a healthy hobby that can save a lot of money in the long run. Check out current prices for Complete Kitchenware Sets on Amazon as well as Complete Starter Spice Kits. Or try a thrift store! I’ve found some of my favorite kitchen gear at second-hand stores.
If you’ve never tried parsnips before, this parsnip soup recipe is an easy introduction. Blended up, this dish is super creamy without a drop of cream, which is a healthy low-cal option and makes my belly happy on several levels. Parsnips are available year-round. They resemble carrots, but are paler and have a stronger flavour. Give this parsnip soup recipe a try—it’s guaranteed super delicious or your money back.
What You Need For This Parsnip Soup Recipe
1 lb PARSNIPS (chopped for soup) 1 large POTATO (chopped for soup) 1 medium ONION (chopped) 2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 1 Tbsp CURRY POWDER 1 tsp CUMIN POWDER 1 tsp CORIANDER POWDER 2 cups BROTH (chicken or vegetable) 2 cups WATER SALT (to taste) CORIANDER LEAVES (chopped, garnish)
How to Make Parsnip Soup
In a soup pot, heat olive oil on medium high heat and add onions and cook for 1 minute.
Add parsnips and potatoes and continue cooking until the onions are soft.
Add curry, cumin, and coriander powder and mix well. Add 4 cups of liquid— ½ broth and ½ water .
Bring contents to a boil, add salt, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
After a half hour the parsnips and potato should be quite tender. For a creamy texture, blend soup as desired—no milk or cream are needed. I like to leave a few chunks of potato unblended, and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
And that’s it…give this parsnip soup recipe a try and let me know what you think!
If you’re new to home cooking, get a bunch of spices, pots and pans, and start experimenting with different recipes. It’s a healthy hobby that can save a lot of money in the long run. Check out current prices for Complete Kitchenware Sets on Amazon as well as Complete Starter Spice Kits. Or try a thrift store! I’ve found some of my favorite kitchen gear at second-hand stores.
Parsnip Fun facts:
In Roman times parsnips were believed to have been an aphrodisiac. In Scotland parsnips are still known as White Carrots. Are a favourite with gardeners because of the short growing season. People used to believe that eating parsnips could relieve a toothache or tired feet. Half of the carbohydrates in parsnips are sugar, and the rest is starch. Parsnips were once used to sweeten jams and cakes before sugar was widely available.
Thanks for checking out this quinoa salad recipe, and all of our recipes. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list so you’ll never miss a new recipe. Also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. You can also follow Chef Buck on Youtube. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
If you like what CG and I do, you can also support us on Patreon, or throw us a tip in our Paypal Tip Jar. We’ll happily enjoy a coffee on the road – Thanks! We appreciate all the support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
We include affiliate links for products on our website. So, if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.
Anyone up for a spicy couscous recipe? Couscous is a quick and simple dish, so naturally I love it. It makes a great pairing with fish, and both can be cooked up quickly. I usually start with plain couscous and spice it up myself, it is simple to do and much yummier than any overpriced pre-made couscous mix you’ll buy at the market.
What You Need To Make This Spicy Couscous Recipe
1 cup COUSCOUS 2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 1 medium ONION (chopped) 3 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped) 1 HOT PEPPER (finely chopped) 1 tsp MUSTARD SEEDS 1 tsp CHILI POWDER 1 tsp PAPRIKA ½ tsp TURMERIC POWDER 1 tsp TOMATO PASTE 1 ½ cup WATER (or broth) SALT (to taste) Spicy couscous makes a tasty side dish, and it is fast and easy to prepare …and did I mention cheap?
How To Make Spicy Couscous
Heat olive oil on medium high heat and then add onions. Stir for 1 minute and add mustard seeds, hot pepper, and garlic. Continue sautéing for a couple more minutes. Stir in chili powder, paprika, and turmeric. Add salt and tomato paste and mix well.
Pour in 1 ½ cups of water, stir, cover pot and turn up the heat and bring the pot to a boil. After ingredients come to a boil, stir in the couscous and mix well. Cover and remove from heat and allow pot to sit for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes the couscous will have completely absorbed all the water. Uncover and immediately fluff with a fork; this will keep the couscous for overcooking and becoming a sticky, starchy mess; couscous should be light and fluffy, and in this case, nice and spicy, too. Give this spicy couscous recipe a try, and I hope you like it. Bon appétit!
Try this spicy Spanish-style quinoa recipe; it’s vegetarian heaven. Quinoa is a versatile ingredient and an excellent source of protein. Quinoa is a grain-like superfood and a great substitute for rice, and just as easy to prepare. I use it often as an alternative to rice–even in rice pudding. Give this quinoa recipe a try; I’m sure you’ll be eating a whole lot less rice in the future, and not missing it at all.
uncooked quinoa…looks like a grain, but it’s a seed.
How to Make Spanish Quinoa
Open the canned tomato and drain the tomato liquid into a measuring cup. Add enough water to equal 2 cups.
Heat oil on medium high. Saute garlic, 2/3 of the onion and 1/3 of the red pepper for 2-3 minutes. [the rest of the onion and red pepper will be added raw at the end.]
Add quinoa.
Stir in tomatoes with green chilies, kidney beans, cumin and chili powder and water/tomato juice mixture. Bring the pot to a boil. Reduce to medium low and cook approx. 15 minutes. The liquid will be absorbed.
Remove from the heat and let sit for about 10 minutes and then fluff with a fork. Allow quinoa to cool some, you want it to be warm, not piping hot when you add the rest of the ingredients.
After quinoa has cooled some, add in the remaining onion and pepper pieces, and the chopped cilantro. Mix. Then add cucumber and avocado and lime juice (or sub lemon juice). Toss gently.
And then serve.
Give this spicy Spanish quinoa recipe a try and let me know what you think, and…
I love this Mediterranean spaghetti squash recipe; its super tasty, and I can eat way too much without feeling too guilty. Watch the video and learn how to easily cook this squash. It’s a terrific ingredient; delicious and healthy. This Mediterranean style recipe is just one of many ways to use this versatile vegetable. Give it a try!
Spaghetti Squash Recipe Ingredients:
1 medium SPAGHETTI SQUASH
1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
1 large ONION (chopped)
4-6 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped)
½ RED BELL PEPPER (sliced)
1 14 oz can ARTICHOKE HEARTS in water (chopped)
1 cup OLIVES, and olive juice to taste (chopped)
¾ to 1 cup PARMESAN CHEESE (shredded or grated)
1 tsp OREGANO
½ tsp THYME
1 tsp BASIL
SALT and PEPPER to taste
Mediterranean spaghetti squash makes a great vegetarian meal
How to Make this Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Preheat oven to 350.
Cut spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise (a good, sharp knife will be nice). Place each side, cut side down, in a shallow pan with about ¾ c water. Bake, uncovered for 45 minutes. Set aside to cool squash halves–enough to handle without causing death to the handler–but not completely cool.
You have time to chop up all your ingredients while the squash cooks. For the artichoke, you may want to remove some of the outer, tougher leaves.
For each half, use a spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds and dark center strings. Use a fork to scrape out the squash into ‘spaghetti-like’ strands.
Heat oil over medium high heat. Saute onion and garlic 4-6 minutes. Add bell pepper. Turn heat to low, stir and cover for 2-4 minutes. Uncover, stir in spaghetti squash and remaining ingredients. Cover and cook til all ingredients are warm, about 7-10 minutes
Add 1 Tbsp of olive juice and any other seasonings to taste. Serve warm. And a little toasted bread on the side won’t hurt.
Give this spaghetti squash recipe a try and let me know what you think, and…
Wow! This is super flavorful Moroccan chicken stew recipe. The combo of lemon and olive add a tangy richness to the broth and add a nice twist to your expectations of a chicken stew. Chef Bill cooked up this wonderful Chicken tagine and we had the camera running to catch it all. Give this delicious recipe a try and you will not be disappointed.
Ingredients for Chicken Stew:
2 1/2 lbs CHICKEN Pieces (skinned) 1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 1 cup ONION (chopped) 2-3 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped) 1 cup CHICKEN BROTH 2 cups pitted WHOLE GREEN OLIVES 1 tsp ground CINNAMON 1/2 tsp CUMIN 1/2 inch GINGER (minced–or substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger) 1-2 tsp LEMON ZEST 1/4 cup LEMON JUICE 1 Tbsp CILANTRO (chopped) SALT and PEPPER to taste
Moroccan inspired Chicken Stew
How to Make This Chicken Tagine
Heat olive oil in a pot over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and then place in pot. Brown chicken appox. 3 minutes each side and then remove from pot. Add onion and garlic and saute in juices for a couple of minutes. Return chicken to pot and add Chicken Broth. Add olives. Add cinnamon, cumin, and ginger. Stir, and bring pot to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, uncover, turn chicken, and let cook 15 more minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken and olives from pot and place in a serving dish. To the broth in the pot, add lemon juice, zest, and cilantro. Serve the chicken and olives over rice or couscous and top with broth as desired. The olives are fantastic. And the chicken is, too! Give this terrific chicken stew a try and let me know what you think, and… Bon Appétit!
Two quick and cool salad recipe ideas: tomato and cucumber salad. These salads make perfect sides for a spicy meal. The tomato basil goes great with any blackened fish, and I love the creamy cucumber with spicy Indian fare. No cooking is required; simply combine the raw ingredients for an easy accompaniment to your favorite spicy dishes.
Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
Ingredients: 2 fresh TOMATOES (diced) ½ cup BASIL (chopped) ¼ cup FETA CHEESE (crumbled) 1 Tbsp OLIVE OIL 1 tsp BALSAMIC VINEGAR SALT and PEPPER, to taste
Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients: 2 SALAD CUCUMBERS (diced) ½ LEMON (juice and zest) ¼ cup GREEK YOGURT 1 tsp DILL SALT and PEPPER, to taste
Give these salad ideas a go and let me know what you think, and bon appétit!
This is a super simple beet greens recipe. If you purchase beets with the greens intact, don’t throw those greens away! You can cook up a tasty dish using the beet greens (and if you don’t buy beets with the greens, then you need to make an adjustment in your shopping habit).
Beet Greens Recipe Ingredients:
1 bunch BEET GREENS ½ RED ONION (chopped) 1/3 RED BELL PEPPER (chopped) 2 cloves GARLIC (thinly sliced) 2 Tbsp OLIVE OIL SALT (to taste) PEPPER (to taste) LEMON JUICE or VINEGAR (optional)
Buy beet roots with the greens for two great ingredients.
How to make Beet Greens
Remove the greens from the root and wash thoroughly because greens always seem to need a good washing, especially beet greens. I like to separate the green leaf from the thicker stem since the leafy greens will need far less time to cook. Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil on med-med high heat. When the oil is hot, add onions and garlic.
I chop the onion big and the garlic thin. Stir for a minute and then add the red bell pepper and stir for a few minutes more. I use about a third of a red pepper, not too much, because it’s more for color than to influence the taste of the dish. The stems are a nice contrast to the dark greens.
Add a little water if needed, but not too much, the greens will release plenty of water. Add the beet green stems. These will soften pretty fast, so a minute or two will be plenty of time Remember, overcooked veggies are a drag, man! Add the leafy greens.
Initially, I don’t mix the greens with the ingredients. I just cover the skillet for a minute or two and give the greens time to wilt. Remove the lid and stir, then add salt and pepper to taste and stir a minute more. That’s about when they’re ready. Camera Girl likes to add a splash of lemon, and vinegar goes great with greens, too. Remove from heat and serve hot.
Beet greens make a great side, especially with chicken or a cheap cut of meat. I like to serve greens as a main dish over quinoa, which is a seed that acts like a grain and is an excellent source of protein. (Check current prices for quinoa on Amazon.)
These quick beet greens make a perfect side dish for all kinds of meals, especially quick cook dishes like fish and kielbasa, or if you want to be a little less carnivorous, pair these greens with a side of beans and top with a soft-yolk egg. The yolk makes a great sauce!
Give these healthy beet greens recipes a try and let me know what you think, and bon appétit!
For another beet dish, try this Roasted Beet and Quinoa Recipe.
Quinoa with roasted root vegetables.
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